Hell's Winter

Cage

Product Details

• Audio CD (September 20, 2005)
• Original Release Date: September 20, 2005
• Number of Discs: 1
• Label: Definitive Jux
• ASIN: B000AA4LJG
• Average Customer Review: 4.4 out of 5 stars See all reviews (18 customer reviews)
• Amazon.com Sales Rank: #60,744 in Music (See Bestsellers in Music)

Editorial Reviews

Pitchfork
"Hell's Winter stands to turn a few heads when it hits...Cage [is] out for a new kind of blood!"

Product Description
The uncompromising imagery that made Cage a rap legend is in full force on his Definitive Jux debut. Featuring production by mentor El-P, RJD2 and Blockhead with guest appearances by Jello Biafra, DJ Shadow, Aesop Rock and James McNew (Yo La Tengo) Cage shows there is no storm like Hell’s Winter.

Customer Reviews

Most Helpful Customer Reviews

5 of 5 people found the following review helpful:

5.0 out of 5 stars Def Jux is Back! (not like they really left), January 24, 2006

By	Zeb91 "Hip Hop Head 4 Life" (Seattle, WA) - See all my reviews

Musicians always use their art as a way to exorcise their inner demons. Cage has more than most, some thanks to his own doing and some from factors out of his control. He took control of his life and showed the demons that they had to leave him. He quite the drugs, quite the junk food, quite the rock-n-roll lifestyle altogether. He found a label that believed in him and could give him what he needed musically (and financially), with no restraints. That is what "Hell's Winter" is; Cage in his purest and truest form speaking on his life. No more misogyny, no more acid trips, mo more over the top shock and awe rap. Whether airing out his issues with EC (Public Property #12), airing out his issues with the current administration (Grand Ol' Party Crash #3) or just wylin out with his weatherman crew (Left It to Us #11), Cage is a transformed man. He confronted what had been done to him in the past and took responsibility for what he has done in the past, and wrote about it. Not only did he write about it but he brought it to life. The combination of him and El-P is amazing. El delivers some of his most symphonic beats yet. They are just as full of life as the verses Caged penned for them. On top of that El is just a little connected and brought in some friends. DJ Shadow makes a very special appearance with his crazy drum programming. Blockhead just blows your mind with his contributions finding the most subtle, and beautiful combinations of strings, horns, and drums. RJ is here in typical fashion with the MTV ready "Shoot Frank" with an unbelievable hook sung by Darryl Palumbo. The bottom line is one emcee had an opportunity to create something special, and while most would cower at that challenge he took it head on and delivered something right back that no one would have ever predicted.

4 of 4 people found the following review helpful:

5.0 out of 5 stars Caged fury unleashed!!, October 3, 2005

By	Daniel J. Stagliano "Boston Baked Beats" (Miami, FL USA) - See all my reviews (REAL NAME)

It seems with every release and appearance that Cage gets more and more precise and most importantly his unique disturbed voice gains more clarity. With sick production from DJ Shadow, El-P, Blockhead, and others, these are the tightest beats he's spit over since Waterworld. As a longtime Dead Kennedys and Jello Biafra fan, I was pleasantly surprised to hear his verbal Bush bashing and impersonations on this CD. What a match!! Shadow, Cage, and Biafra!! If they could put out a whole album as a group then that would be the most amazing album in the history of hip-hop. As all longtime fans know, Cage was the sick whiteboy persona before Eminem (no disrespect), and with this release he only proves his versatility and lyrical content are top-notch. This is my favorite release this year (at least until Dangerdoom) by far in the hip-hop genre or any genre for that matter. Even if ya download it, go out and pay cash for it to support your favorite artists and raps premier label-Def Jux.

10 of 13 people found the following review helpful:

4.0 out of 5 stars A major improvement, September 28, 2005

By	Alan Pounds "Minnesota Hip-Hop Fiend" (Minneapolis, MN) - See all my reviews (TOP 1000 REVIEWER)    (REAL NAME)

I remember hearing a few tracks from "Movies for the Blind" and not being very impressed. The dude could rhyme, but I just wasn't feeling the relentlessly dark and angry flow he was boasting. Not to say his lyrics weren't interesting, but the overall package was lacking a bit. That said, "Hell's Winter" improves on every point that was lacking on "Movies for the Blind". Frankly, after hearing "Movies for the Blind", I didn't think Cage had it in him to create songs as good as "Grand Ol Party Crash", "Stripes", or "Shoot Frank". The lyrics are more personal, more heartfelt, and just plain better. The production is also a big improvement. Some of the biggest names in hip-hop collaborate to make the album shine (El-P, RJD2, Blockhead, DJ Shadow). Guest (vocal) appearances are made by Jello Biafra, Aesop Rock, James McNew & El-P. The beats are so tight that they included a second CD - "Hell's Winter Instrumentals".

My favorites include "Good Morning", "Grand Ol Party Crash" where Jello Biafra transforms into our President, George W. Bush (also...incredibly SICK production by DJ Shadow), the most insightful track of all - "Stripes", "Shoot Frank" and "Subtle Art Of The Breakup Song".

Overall, those who thought Cage's past works were a bit lackluster, should definitely check out "Hell's Winter". This is the deepest look into the dark and troubled persona of Cage. This is truly one of Definitive Jux's better releases of the year.